A generation ago, Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) enthralled audiences around the world with epic poems, short stories and novels. His experiences growing up in British-controlled India provided a rich source of colorful folklore and inspiration for children’s stories, such as the Jungle Book. Kipling received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907.

Of all of his many poems, my favorite is the inspirational poem If, which he wrote in 1895. It poses questions or conditions on how one develops the qualities of good character and balance embodied in a successful life.

On June 11, 2012, Catholic Archbishop Dominique Mamberti addressed European ambassadors at a meeting ending Denmark’s six-month rotation in the EU presidency (L’Osservatore Romano, June 12, 2012). In his speech, the Archbishop made it clear that Europe needed to rediscover itself, in order to have a successful future.

Gonorrhea or “clap” is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection that was contracted by more than 62 million people in 1999—the last year of global reporting for the disease (Avert.org).  What was long considered a “sailor’s disease” is now prevalent in many populations, including teenagers.  Research shows this bacterium is now almost completely drug resistant.

Scan the news headlines or talk to your friends and neighbors, and there is little doubt that the world is filled with troubles. How can we be positive in such a negative environment? Can we find reasons to be optimistic when modern life is filled with so many troubles?

Syria recently shot down a Turkish military jet fighter, and shot at a rescue plane looking for the downed jet (Reuters, June 26, 2012).  In response, Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan stated, “Every military element approaching Turkey from the Syrian border and representing a security risk and danger will be assessed as a military threat and will be treated as a military target.”